Robyn Vie Carpenter-Brisco, Vice-Chair of Baton Rouge Pride What does Pride sound like? I think that the answer really depends on who you ask, and when you’re asking. When I first came out 25 years ago, the sound of my first Pride was the exuberant anthem from the divine Miss Ross, “I’m Coming Out.” That’s also the year I learned about the NYC rock band, BETTY!, who sang the … [Read more...] about Pepper Mashay at Baton Rouge Pride
Arts & Culture
Jimmy Neurosis
Jimmy Neurosis. James Oseland. Ecco, 2019. ISBN: 978-0062267368. 293 pages. Long before James Oseland was a judge on Top Chef Masters, he was a teenage rebel growing up in the pre–Silicon Valley suburbs, yearning for a taste of something wild. Diving headfirst into the churning mayhem of the punk movement, he renamed himself Jimmy Neurosis and embarked on a journey into a … [Read more...] about Jimmy Neurosis
1977: Pageants and Rags and Courts—O My!
In 1983, Valda Lewis moved to New Orleans and began working at a Randall’s Record Shop on Toulouse Street importing and selling British punk rock music. Here in New Orleans, she found the freedom to be her true self, a lesbian, that proved so elusive in her hometown of Rayleigh in Essex County back in England. After Randall’s, she took a job bartending and met her … [Read more...] about 1977: Pageants and Rags and Courts—O My!
Will ‘Making Waves’ be the Queerest Aquatic Romance Yet?
Drew Larimore is a Brooklyn-based writer. His plays have been produced internationally as well as Off Broadway. His film and TV work stream online. He makes killer pumpkin bread, and alternates between black t-shirts and plaid. Since Drew is about to gear up for his new short, Making Waves, let’s make a splash in his queer mind with some questions on the eve of Pride. What … [Read more...] about Will ‘Making Waves’ be the Queerest Aquatic Romance Yet?
Trodding the Boards June 4, 2019
How to Kill a Diva at Westwego Performing Arts Theatre through June 9 Chris Wecklein starred as Max Bialystok in The Producers for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) nearly 10 years ago, winning an Ambie Award as Best Actor in a Musical for his performance. If Max Bialystok were around today he might consider presenting How to Kill a Diva, in which Wecklein is … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 4, 2019
LadyBEAST and Vinsantos present an ode to New Orleans cabaret. June 6-9
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — June 6 marks the beginning of the final shows of “Marquee” at Le Petit Theatre. A perfect complement to Pride New Orleans, “Marquee” features the best in drag, burlesque and vaudeville. Indulge yourself on a decadent night of entertainment with “Vinsantos and LadyBEAST Present Marquee: A Night of Burlesque, Circus and Drag Cabaret” at Le Petit … [Read more...] about LadyBEAST and Vinsantos present an ode to New Orleans cabaret. June 6-9
Party Down June 4, 2019
Ever since I was a child, I have always loved summers in New Orleans. And as I have grown older, I still enjoy them, but I’ve married that with the much-needed love of air conditioning. During the summer months, I always feel like I am stepping into a Tennessee Williams play each time I leave my house. I have a new appreciation of hand fans and parasols. I do declare! But even … [Read more...] about Party Down June 4, 2019
Trodding the Boards March 5, 2018
As One at Marigny Opera House After many years of four-opera seasons, New Orleans Opera has been expanding its programming, commendably, with its Chamber Opera Series. In 2016, NOO presented Brundibár, a children’s opera that had been performed in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, in a memorable, fully staged production at the WWII Museum. Earlier this year at the … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards March 5, 2018
Under the Gaydar
It seems like forever since my last Under the Gaydar article but it has only been a few mere months. As you grow older, time becomes a much more precious commodity and life has a way demonstrating that in spades. I remember when I first approached Rip about writing a column for Ambush. I wanted to promote and covering the events both gay and straight in our city. Rip and … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar
An Interview with Dr. Ryan Prechter
FP: Your recently wrote your doctoral dissertation on New Orleans gay history. How did you get interested in this topic? RP: It began in 2013, when a good friend of mine pointed out it was the fortieth anniversary of the Upstairs Lounge fire. After reading about the tragedy, I was shocked (and a little ashamed) that I had never heard of such an important chapter of gay New … [Read more...] about An Interview with Dr. Ryan Prechter